Diaphragm for electrolytic apparatus.



.in Fig. 4, tivo lower layers rc Acured in place next to the Wire gauze cathode action of the cell tor the correction of the diaphragm or for the removal of deposits therefrom being so slight as to be practically negligible.

ln the diaphragm shown ragmentarily are shown se- While two superposed layers m and azz are also shown as remov bly secured in place by the bars g/ and separately removable. The number of iixed and removable layers can readily be varied to give a thinner or a thicker diaphragm and to make up for variations in the thickness and structure of the individual layers. ln each case, however, one or more of the outer or upper lay ers are' readily removable With the advantages indicated.

The central portion of the diaphragm is, in the present instance, supported by a hollow arch 16 in the vcathode chamber, said hollow arch having perforated side Walls and being in communication at one end with the chamber 5 of the cell through 'the opening 7 in the partition 6.

l have shown my invention as applied to a horizontal partition but it may be applied Vas Well to vertical or inclined partitions, suitable means being employed in the latter case for temporarily retaining the bars y in place. f l claim l. The `Within described diaphragm for electrolytic cells, said diaphragm consisting of a plurality of superposed permeable layers, the outer layer or layers being loosely retained, whereby the thickness of the diaphragm can be readily varied by adding layers to or removing them therefrom, and the material deposited upon the diaphragm can be readily discharged therefrom.

2. The Within described diaphragm for electrolytic cells, said diaphragm comprising one or more inner layers secured in position X and one or more outer layers loosely retained in place.

3. The Within described diaphragm for electrolytio cells, said diaphragm comprising a Wire gauze cathode, and a plurality oi superposed layers of permeable material supported thereby, the outer layer nr layers being loosely confined so as to be readily applied or removed.

4. The Withinv described diaphragm for electrolytic cells, said diaphragm comprising a Wire gauze cathode, and a plurality of layers of permeable material supported thereby, the inner layer or layers being secured to the cathode and the outer layer or layers being loosely conned so as to bevv readily applied to or removed from the dia phragm.

5. An electrolvlic cell having anode and cathode compartments and a permeable diaphragm separating said compartments, said diaphragm consisting of one or more fixed permeable layers, and'of one or more removable permeable layers, and removable means for temporarily holding said removable layer or layers in position.

G. An electrolytic cell having anode and cathode compartments, and a .substantially horizontal permeable diaphragm separating said compartments, said diaphragm consisting et one or more fixed permeable layers and one or more removable permeable layers placed above said fixed layer or layers, and removable means for temporarily holding said removable layer vor layers in position 7. An electrolytic cellhaving anode and cathode compartments, and a diaphragm separating said compartments, said 1aphragm comprising a wire. gauZe'cathode and a plurality of layers of permeable material supported thereby, one or more of said layers adjacent to said wire gauze being iixedin position, and one or more of said layers supported by said tixed layers being removable.

ln testimony whereof, l have signed my name to this spccilication, in the presence of tufo subscribing witnesses.

HERMAN l. RUHli/jl.

wWitnesses i l-l. "Wants, F. V. Gaiman. 

